Serving people in Old Swan and Tuebrook

Olive Aid: Plant Hope - Harvest Peace

Since ancient times, the olive tree and its branches have been a universal symbol of peace and prosperity and especially to the Palestinian people, who have enjoyed olive orchards as part of their landscape for thousands of years. The olive tree enjoys this special attention amongst Palestinians, not only due to its symbolic and religious meaning of peace but also because of the fact that the olive is a valuable source of food.

Olive oil and wood production and their sale provide a multitude of jobs and income in the forms of olive oil, wood crafts and olive-based soaps making it irreplaceable as the primary source of income for more than 100,000 Palestinian families in the West Bank & Gaza Strip. Considering the fact that the native olive plays such a role in Palestinian economic and cultural life, it is central also to the identity of the Palestinian people.

The systematic attack on Palestinian trees has started with the Israeli occupation in 1967 and resulted in the uprooting of more than 2.6 million trees, to date. The reason behind this is to build the Segregation Wall, building/expansion settlements and construction of Israeli only bypass roads.

In light of this - and with a desire to also support the education of students at Bethlehem University - the OliveAid project was established in the UK in 2008. The aims of this project are two-fold: to replant olive groves and provide families with a sustainable income from olives and olive based products, to provide funds to the University to offer scholarships to students.

This is an excellent gift for someone or to dedicate a tree in memory of a loved one who has died.At the same time you know you are helping Christian Palestinian families and students at Bethlehem University. For further information please see Fr. Mark or visit the website: www.oliveaid.com

We’ve now sent sent £1,075 to this important charity which provides new olive trees to Christian farmers in the Bethlehem region while at the same time providing a scholarship for Christian students at Bethlehem University. Our parish now has its own designated area which the 2012 Holy Land pilgrims will get the chance to visit next May. Donations of £25 can still be made. We need cash or a cheque made payable to: ‘St. Oswald’s Parish’ or ‘St. Cecilia’s Parish’ with your name, the name which the tree is to be dedicated and their full address and pass it into the Parish Office.

Once again thank you to all who are supporting this project - so much appreciated in these difficult times. The Holy Land Pilgrims next May will visit the designated site.

Update

Fr. Mark recently received a letter from Olive Aid UK to thank our parishes for the tremendous support given to this charity. 45 Olive Trees have so far been planted with more waiting to be planted. The designated area is in Beit Sahour, a suburb of Bethlehem where the shepherds saw the hosts of angels announcing the birth of Jesus. (Beit Sahour means ‘House of the Shepherds). Beit Sahour is now a Christian suburb. The site measures 2.7 Dunums and is owned by the Wael Boulus family. A plaque will be erected to acknowledge our contribution:

The website will soon be updated which will include a link to the location OA53 in Beit Sahour. For more details visit the website: www.oliveaid.com Donations can still be made. Thank you for all your help.